30 Great IPAs to Drink Before You Die

It’s safe to say that no beer style has defined the American craft beer revolution as assertively as the India Pale Ale. The history of the style and its development is the U.S. is well-worth investigating for those who want to explore it—from the use of hops as preservatives to help beers keep on the long journey from Britain to the colonies many centuries ago (hence the name), to pioneering American experiments like Vinnie Cilurzo’s Blind Pig IPA and, later, the use of continuous hopping by Dogfish Head’s Sam Calagione. It’s modern development has been all about attitude: When the stateside microbrew scene first started to get attention, hoppy beers were a bold and assertive middle finger to the status quo, separating craft beer from the light lagers that dominated the market and giving new brewers a much needed point of view.

Today, the all-American hop bomb is almost a cliche—every new brewery that hits the market feels compelled to make an IPA, and the beer-nerd cry for more, more, more when it comes to hops has led to some extreme (and not always palatable) creations. As one industry pro told us recently, “It’s an IPA world right now, and we’re just living in it”—and he’s right.

But let’s not confuse ubiquity for dullness. IPA remains the most competitive, diverse, and exciting style in beer, not just in the U.S., but in countries around the world that have caught (or reclaimed) the hops bug. Now, you just have to work harder than ever to figure out which pours are really worthy of your beer money. With that in mind, we reached out to our beer panel again—including NYC-based beer writers, brewers, bars owners, and educators—and asked them recommend they IPAs they love personally, and think every drinker should try before they die. Here’s the crew:

It's safe to say that no beer style has defined the American craft beer revolution as assertively as the India Pale Ale. The history of the style and its development is the U.S. is well-worth investigating for those who want to explore it—from the use of hops as preservatives to help beers keep on the long journey from Britain to the colonies many centuries ago (hence the name), to pioneering American experiments like Vinnie Cilurzo's Blind Pig IPA and, later, the use of continuous hopping by Dogfish Head's Sam Calagione. It's modern development has been all about attitude: When the stateside microbrew scene first started to get attention, hoppy beers were a bold and assertive middle finger to the status quo, separating craft beer from the light lagers that dominated the market and giving new brewers a much needed point of view.
Today, the all-American hop bomb is almost a cliche—every new brewery that hits the market feels compelled to make an IPA, and the beer-nerd cry for more, more, more when it comes to hops has led to some extreme (and not always palatable) creations. As one industry pro told us recently, "It's an IPA world right now, and we're just living in it"—and he's right.
But let's not confuse ubiquity for dullness. IPA remains the most competitive, diverse, and exciting style in beer, not just in the U.S., but in countries around the world that have caught (or reclaimed) the hops bug. Now, you just have to work harder than ever to figure out which pours are really worthy of your beer money. With that in mind, we reached out to our beer panel again—including NYC-based beer writers, brewers, bars owners, and educators—and asked them recommend they IPAs they love personally, and think every drinker should try before they die. Here's the crew:

Any favorites you'd add to the list? Let us know in the comments.
Let the hop bombing commence...

The Alchemist Heady Topper

From: Waterbury, VT
ABV: 8%
Website:alchemistbeer.comMike Lovullo says: This brilliant example of an American Imperial IPA comes in at 8% ABV with over 120 IBUs (International Bittering Units, used to measure a beer's bitterness). Even though the IBUs are high, the balance of this beer is superb. With a thick yeast backbone and sweetness from the malt bill, this beer goes down really smooth.

Maine Beer Company Lunch

From: Portland, ME
ABV: 7%
Website:mainebeercompany.comMike Lovullo says: This gem comes from brewers Dave and Dan Kleban at Maine Beer Company. Like all IPAs, the key is to get it extremely fresh—when you do, layers of stone fruit and mango envelope the bitter finish.

Hill Farmstead Abner

From: Greensboro, VT
ABV: 8.2%
Website:hillfarmstead.comMike Lovullo says: Like many of brewer Shaun Hill's beers, this 8.2%-ABV Imperial IPA is named after one of his ancestors—great grandfather Abner. This monster of an Imperial is double dry-hopped and uses a healthy dose of Centennial, Chinook, Columbus, Simcoe, and Warrior hops that bring forth a plethora of flowery and citrusy aromatics.

Alpine Beer Company Nelson

From: Alpine, CA
ABV: 7%
Website:alpinebeerco.comMike Lovullo says: From Alpine, CA comes Alpine Beer Company's Nelson, jam-packed with Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand that bring a beautifully ripe, flowery Chardonnay quality to this deliciously bitter IPA. European rye malt is used as well to balance the bitterness and give this brew a smooth finish.

Stone Enjoy By IPA

From: Escondido, CA
ABV: 9.4%
Website:stonebrewing.comMike Lovullo says: This series of 9.4%-ABV Imperial IPAs—packaged with a specific "enjoy by" date on the label to ensure freshness—doesn't hide its high alcohol or bitterness. Layers of resin, pine, and grapefruit come together in every sip. Although the malt bill is high, this brew is all about the hops!

Green Flash West Coast IPA

From: San Diego, CA
ABV: 7.3%
Website:greenflashbrew.comJulian Kurland says: Big, bold, and extravagantly hopped, this is the quintessential West Coast-style IPA. A huge hop presence hits you first from the Columbus hops, leading to a great finish of pine, citrus, and grapefruit from the Cascade, Centennial, and Simcoe. A must have.

Snake River Pakos Eye-P-A

From: Jackson, WY
ABV: 6.8%
Website:snakeriverbrewing.comJulian Kurland says: One of my new favorite IPAs (and in a can!), this is a great IPA for both hop heads and light IPA drinkers alike. It uses a Simcoe/Columbus blend, imparting a huge aroma of floral and grapefruit notes. It's all backed by a nice hop punch. At only 6.8%-ABV, this is definitely a good beer to relax with.

Omnipollo Leon

From: Stockholm, Sweden
ABV: 6.5%
Website: omnipollo.com
Julian Kurland says: Swedish brewer Henok was tired of dragging his friends to beer bars before going out on the town, afraid that he would only have cheap lagers to drink after that. His answer: Leon. Brewed at De Proefbrouwerij in Belgium, this Belgian-style IPA is whole-coned hopped and dry-fermented using a champagne yeast. The result is a super-crisp, extremely drinkable and delicious IPA that you can stick with all night. It's a great food beer as well.

Bear Republic Racer 5

From: Healdsburg, CA
ABV: 7%
Website:bearrepublic.comJulian Kurland says: Another one of great West Coast IPAs, Bear Republic's Racer 5 is a great study in California hops. Using the four Cs—Chinook, Cascade, Columbus, and Centennial—this beer has it all. A big hop bomb is dropped in the front of the palate, followed by notes of grapefruit, pine, and citrus. This beer is incredibly full-bodied as well, making it a favorite among people looking for a delicious, satisfying beer.

Bell's Hop Slam

From: Kalamazoo, MI
ABV: 10%
Website:bellsbeer.comGreg Doroski says: This beer delivers on its name without totally overwhelming the palate with bitterness. There are huge mango and pineapple hop flavors and aromas, complimented by citrus-centered elements that bring to mind its West Coast brethren.

Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

From: Chico, CA
ABV: 6.8%
Website:sierranevada.comGreg Doroski says: The archetypal old-school West Coast-style IPA. A healthy dose of Crystal malt provides balance, as well as a platform for the fresh hops to sing. Though it's easily overshadowed in the market by many of today's hop bombs, I eagerly wait to purchase a case every season. To know where you're going, you need to know where you've been.

Kelso IPA

From: Brooklyn, NY
ABV: 6%
Website:kelsoofbrooklyn.comMary Izett: This Brooklyn-brewed IPA is a lovely showcase for my favorite hop, Nelson Sauvin. This is such a beautiful hop and somewhat unusual in its aroma and flavor profile, with notes of gooseberry and a hint of spice. This beer displays those characteristics wonderfully and is incredibly drinkable, with a crisp body. My desert island IPA.

Carton Boat Beer

From: Atlantic Highlands, NJ
ABV: 4.2%
Website:cartonbrewing.comMary Izett says: Holy sessionable IPA! This one comes in at only 4.2%-ABV and is an insta-classic example of the new subcategory of "session IPAs." Chock full of juicy American hops, this beer is a perfect summer quencher—grapefruit first and foremost, with a hint of pine in the back. Ridiculously drinkable.

Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA

From: Milton, DE
ABV: 15-20%
Website:dogfish.comJohn Holl says: It's not because geeks salivate over this, or because bars charge obscene amounts of money for the smallest of glasses. It's not even about the near 20% alcohol content. The reason I pick this is because, at least once in every drinker's life, they should have a chance to chew a beer. The continuous dry hopping of 120 for two full hours leaves this beer thick, giving the impression that a spoon might be needed—certainly a new twist on the term "liquid bread."

Firestone Walker Brewing Co. Wookey Jack

From: Paso Robles, CA
ABV: 8.3%
Website:firestonebeer.comJohn Holl says: Some call this style Cascadian Dark, but Firestone Walker goes with the more common (and oxymoronic) Black India Pale Ale. Specifically, it's a Black Rye IPA, best served fresh so the rye and dark roasted malts mingle with a citrusy lushness of Amarillo and Citra hops. With a kick of spice as well, it demands deeper consideration from those who drink.

Cigar City Humidor Cedar Aged Jai Alai IPA

From: Tampa, FL
ABV: 7.5%
Website:cigarcitybrewing.comAnthony Finley says: There's a lot of debate in the beer world of whether or not it is a good idea to age IPAs. Some say they should only be enjoyed fresh, but this one might make you disagree. The sweetness from the cedar works well the citrus and pine hop notes, as well as the nice malt backbone.

Peekskill Eastern Standard IPA

From: Peekskill, NY
ABV: 6.6%
Website:peekskillbrewery.wordpress.comAnthony Finley says: With new brewer Jeff O'Neil [formerly of Ithaca Brewing Co.] behind the the wheel at Peekskill, this great IPA is worth taking a daytrip to the brewpub to have a fresh pint. Nothing over-the-top here—just a great IPA that I could sit down and drink multiples of. It's got a nice malt profile and a great hop character, but it's not bitter. That's rare to find nowadays. Plus, the rest of Peekskill's lineup is amazing as well.

Omnipollo Nebuchadnezzar

From: Stockholm, Sweden
ABV: 8.5%
Website: omnipollo.com
Anthony Finley says: This double IPA from this newish Swedish duo is amazing. They've been coming with a interesting batch of IPAs. They have all been good, but this one has been the real standout for me—there are some beautiful tropical/berry fruit and citrus hop notes, followed by good, resiny bitterness. Still, it's not too over-the-top.

Great Divide Titan IPA

From: Denver, CO
ABV: 7.1%
Website:greatdivide.comJimmy Carbone says: Last spring, Georg Riedel led a tasting of beer glasses to find the perfect IPA glass. One of the typical beers in the category he chose was Great Divide's Titan IPA. It was a good choice—right balance of hops, color, and body. After that night, it became my go-to IPA for the summer and fall. When you're stuck at a package store and want a good IPA, go for this!

Two Brothers Heavy Handed

From: Warrenville, IL
ABV: 6.7%
Website:twobrosbrew.comJimmy Carbone says: This IPA has both wet hops [fresh hops used immediately after harvesting] and dry-hopping. The Ebel brothers make some solid beers. The Heavy Handed IPA isn't as assertive as the classic West Coast style, but it fills a niche for the Midwest.

Brewdog Punk IPA

From: Fraserburgh, Scotland
ABV: 5.6%
Website:brewdog.comChris Schonberger says: As a dual citizen of the United States and Britain, this "transatlantic fusion IPA"—as the beer maniacs at Brewdog have dubbed it—speaks to me like few other beers I've ever had in my life. The biscuity malt backbone is quintessentially English, while the bright, floral American hops let you know that you're unmistakably in the era of the new-school IPA. I'll never forget the first time I had this pond-hopping brew, and I still return to it whenever I get a chance.

Ballast Point Sculpin IPA

From: San Diego, CA
ABV: 7%
Website:ballastpoint.comChris Schonberger says: Sculpin is one of those beers that you see around pretty often and is easy to pass over as a usual suspect—until you stop fronting and actually taste the stuff. Then, it becomes pretty damn clear why it won gold at the World Beer Cup 2010. It's a great representation of the San Diego style, but not quite as punishing as, say, a Green Flash IPA. An appealing aroma of grapefruit and oranges is bolstered by big citrusy hops, and it's all balanced out by a solid backbone of malt sweetness.

Founders Centennial IPA

From: Grand Rapids, MI
ABV: 7.2%
Website:foundersbrewing.comChris Schonberger says: Sure, the West Coast gets all the IPA adoration, and the East Coast is slowly chipping away at the crown, but Founders offers a compelling reminder to not forget about Michigan. Toasted caramel anchors the malt character, and citric hops remind you what you came for. A standout from a brewery doing great things across the board.

Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra

From: Chico, CA
ABV: 7.2%
Website:sierranevada.comChris Schonberger says: What Sierra Nevada Pale Ale does for its style, Torpedo does for the IPA—provide a benchmark for excellence. Hops heads will be satisfied with the piney, resiny flavors, but really, this beer is all about balance. This is probably the one hoppy brew I'd choose to have a lifetime supply of if given the chance.

Surly Brewing Furious IPA

From: Minneapolis, MN
ABV: 6.2%
Website:surlybrewing.comChris Schonberger says: Surly's hard-to-miss tallboys demand attention wherever you see them, and the beer inside is no different. The Minnesota brewery has gained legions of fans for its uncompromising brews, including this slap-you-upside-the-head IPA. The ABV isn't that high, but don't be fooled—this is for the beer nerd who's been naughty and wants to be punished with a fistful of hops to the face. Expect an onslaught of pine and citrus, with notes of toffee from Scottish malts to balance things out.

8Wired Brewing Co. HopWired IPA

From: Blenhiem, New Zealand
ABV: 7.3%
Website:8wired.co.nzChris Schonberger says: If you truly want to appreciate the diversity of hops out there, you've got to drink some of the exciting new beers coming out of New Zealand—home to varieties like Nelson Sauvin and Motueka. Packed with not only NZ-grown hops but local malts as well, this beer delivers terroir in a beer bottle, evoking the new Kiwi brew culture with tropical fruit notes and hints of Sauvignon Blanc grapes.

Smuttynose IPA

From: Portsmouth, NH
ABV: 6.9%
Website:smuttynose.comSamuel Merritt says: This is probably the first time an AB quote has been used when talking about Smutty, but anyway... August Busch III said of drinkability, “You stop drinking because you know it’s time to stop but you don’t want to. That’s drinkability.” Smuttynose IPA always seems to disappear from my home beer fridge a little quicker than others when it’s there, and when I’m offering a good bunch of brands and styles at a tasting, it’s gone first a lot. To me, that’s drinkability, too. I have to admit, I’m a fan of New Hampshire, all seals, the old brown dog, Kevin Love, and the whole Smuttynose story. Smutty IPA has a very earthy, English side to it that makes me think of Hobbits and maybe the IPA that they drink. The bitter side is supported with sufficient malt and then it rounds out and dries beautifully, but to me the key is its rustic, nuanced, earthy funk built around a nice big hop and malt structure. If you don’t like your IPA to be too resinous or chewy, you’ll like this one.

Brooklyn East India Pale Ale

From: Brooklyn, NY
ABV: 6.9%
Website:brooklynbrewery.comSamuel Merritt says: Garrett Oliver and all the good people at the Brooklyn Brewery put this in my sippy cup when I was just a young beer salesman for them in the mid '90s and I’ve loved it since. The essential oils from the hops that are present in a big, fresh, dry-hopped American IPA or Double IPA are one of the first things to oxidize out with time; thus, the most important things for me in an IPA are that it's fresh and that it's local. IPAs taste different now than they did when they were designed to make the voyage to India in oak while still fermenting—back then they arrived mellowed, oxidized, dry, and often on the sour side. Today, the IPA is not designed for travel to distant ports, but instead made to dazzle people with a showcase of hops and all the stuff you can do with them as a brewer.

Lagunitas IPA

From: Petaluma, CA
ABV: 6.2%
Website:lagunitas.comSamuel Merritt says: This whole IPA "before you die" list is a little off for me since there is definitely beer in heaven. That said, I’m pretty sure that before you die, you’ll want to head to Petaluma chicken country in California to enjoy a hoppy West Coast IPA with one of the coolest bunch of people in the state. You’ll want to go to the Lagunitas pub and listen to a great band and just sit there and take it all in. This is especially important if you’re from the East Coast. Lagunitas is simply a superbly Californian experience. Their slogan, “beer speaks, people mumble,” is important to remember before you die, and this beer and knowing how nice the people who made it are will remind you of that. It's boisterous, lusty, chewy, strong, and oh so herbal.

Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA

From: Milton, DE
ABV: 9%
Website: dogfish.comSamuel Merritt says: As it has been said, "Pack it up, pack it in and let me begin." There's lots of everything in this beer, but balance is there the whole time. Thick and rich while bracing and tangy at the same time, it's a big, fun beer that is very good to share at its strength. Above all for me, this is a teaching beer. A good beer with a story to tell is an instant sipping companion, and [Dogfish Head founder] Sam Calagione’s story of continuous hopping makes me smile when I drink this. Each time the DFH90 and I tell the story to an audience it puts them into a good mood. This is the mood you want people to be in when you’re teaching them about beer. For this, I’m grateful to Sam and all the craft brewers who are telling their stories with beer.
Read the story of continuous hopping and the 90 Minute IPA here, in Sam's own words.

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